Saturday, July 20, 2013

"A Woman Who Fears The LORD Is To Be Praised!"

Who can find a virtuous woman?
(Matthew Henry)

"Who can find a virtuous woman?  
Her price is far above rubies!" 
Proverbs 31:10

The description of the virtuous woman 
given in Proverbs 31, is designed to show 
what kind of wives godly women should make--
and what wives godly men should choose.

A virtuous woman is very assiduous 
to recommend herself to her husband's 
esteem and affection. She conducts 
herself so that he may repose an entire 
confidence in her. She shows her love 
to him, not by a foolish fondness--
but by prudent endearments, 
accommodating herself 
to his temperament.

A virtuous woman is one who takes 
pains in her duties. She hates to sit 
idle and do nothing. Though she may 
not need to work for her bread, yet 
she will not eat the bread of idleness.

A virtuous woman takes care of her 
family and all the affairs of it, not 
meddling in the concerns of other 
people's houses, as she thinks it 
enough for her to look well to her 
own affairs.

A virtuous woman is charitable 
to the poor. She often serves the poor 
with her own hand, and she does it 
freely, cheerfully, and very liberally.

A virtuous woman is discreet 
and obliging in all her discourse--
not talkative, censorious, nor 
peevish. When she does speak, 
it is with a great deal of prudence 
and very much to the purpose. 
The law of love and kindness 
is written in her heart--
and it shows itself in her tongue!

A virtuous woman has a firmness 
and constancy of mind, to bear 
up under the many crosses and 
disappointments which even the wise 
and godly must expect to meet with 
in this poor world.

That which completes and crowns her 
character, is that she fears the LORD. 
With all these good qualities, she does 
not lack that one thing needful--
she is truly pious. In all she does, she 
is guided and governed by Christian 
principles, and a regard to GOD.

In the day of death, it will be 
a pleasure for her to think that 
she has lived to some good purpose. 
True virtue will have its praise--
both from GOD and man.

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty 
is fleeting; but a woman who fears 
the LORD is to be praised!" 
Proverbs 31:30 
    
~  ~  ~  ~  ~

GraceGems has published Horatius Bonar's choice article,
"The World's Oracles".

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